Choremaster spark & gas tank ?s

[DanS]

I'm trying to get a Choremaster running that was given to me by my fiancée's uncle. It has a Clinton engine on it, and originally had the engine mounted fuel tank (now missing). I inherited one of these with the house that was my G-pa's. I had used it as a kid to cultivate the garden and plow snow. My Uncle said he wanted it b/c he used to mow grass with it, so I gave it to him. Luckily I found out my fiancée's Uncle had 6 of them in his barn. He gave me one of them and a real nice set of cultivators too. Now, I'm trying to figure out if this tractor will run before putting too much money in it. The gas tank being gone and no spark plug in it when I got it has me afraid it was a “parts tractor” and might be in bad shape internally, although I’ve found the motor turns over fine and seems to have good compression.

First, I'm trying to get spark, then it’ll be on to the fuel tank issue. So far, I've taken off the flywheel, cleaned the magneto and ignition points with emery cloth. I didn’t have the point gap specs (I’ve been told now it should be .020) so I just eye balled the gap temporarily but after I reassembled it…still no spark. What should I try next (if re-gapping the points doesn’t work) ?

Second, if I do get it running where could I get another tank for it at? It’ll mostly be used instead of shown, so the tank doesn’t have to be too pretty.

Thanks,

[Leonard Keifer]

If you can find one, try filing the points with a small diamond file (emery paper doesn't always get all of the gunk off), then reset using a feeler gauge to 0.018 - 0.020. You may also need to replace the condenser.

I don't know why so many of those Clinton gas tanks are missing, quite a few that I've had were missing the tank, too. Some of the older Briggs engines had a similar tank, unfortunately many of them are missing too. If you're not in a hurry to use the tractor keep an eye out at flea markets or advertise on Enginads small engine classifieds. Next to last resort: look on ebay. Last resort: make one or have one made.

Good luck, those are neat little tractors.

[DanS]

Great, thanks for the info Leonard! Hopefully I'll get some time to mess with it this weekend.

I have one of those montgomery wards choremasters...it has the 2 h.p. clinton engine and works perfectly.....I can take pics. and measurements of the tank if needed...mines original! Mayor@ihregistry.com I'll also keep my eye out for one!

[DanS]

After much "fiddling" I finally got this ole goat running. I still need to find a better gas tank set up and figure the correct throttle linkage out. Notice the throttle cable laying on the muffler and the gas tank with aluminum foil rubber banded!

* My pic file sizes are too big I'll try and shrink them then post them...Sorry

[DanS]

Thanks All!! IT RUNS!!!! I got it fired up Sunday after church. I even let my fiancee drive it. I found a tank from an old choremaster in the shed, but its not the right one. Hopefully I'll be able to put some pictures on soon. (I have to figure out how to shrink them from 250KB to , 100Kb). It smokes some and I noticed some oil coming from the sparkplug hole, so I'm thinking it'll need a ring or valve job But, on the bright side, I do know that it runs, and quite well at that. I still need to figure out how the throttle cable is supposed to be set up, I just got that unstuck Sunday too.

[DanS]

Check out the Choremast pictures at http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20564

If link doesn't work just go into the "Gallery of Antique Engine Photos" forum and look at "Choremaster, its Alive!". I was so excited when it fired up after 5 pulls or so. The gas tank is on, but leaky with no cap (aluminum foil & a rubber band for now) and I have no clue how the throttle cable should be attached, and it was just hanging off and seized up when I got the tractor.

Also, If anyone could tell me, or pictures would be better, how the proper way is to connect the throttle or how the fuel line would've been originally run it would be much appreciated!

[Bill Sherlock]

Dan,

Here's a scan of some Clinton throttle info for various models. Hopefully you will see your model illustrated.

Bill

[DanS]

Wow, I think I'm missing quite a few pieces for the throttle.

[DanS]

Here's what it currently has.

[DanS]

Let me try the picture upload again.